Though Toledo may not be the most popular city in the Midwest, it’s home to several unique, affordable hidden treasures that are worth a visit when you need a break from the books or are looking for a way to dive into local art and culture. Within just minutes of the campus area, you can access several museums and parks that cover a broad spectrum, from regional history to the peoples and cultures that have helped shape the city. Find out more about these destinations that provide a look into the culture and arts of the region without putting a dent in your wallet!
Walking downtown, you may not realize that one of the city’s best treasures is just steps away. The TMA is home to more than 30,000 pieces of artwork. In the span of an afternoon, you can travel through Ancient Rome and Greece, walk the halls of a Medieval cloister and play on a “floating” piano. Housed according to their respective periods you can look at famous paintings by Renoir, Monet and Matisse and walk around sculptures made by Rodin and Henry Moore. Once you’ve explored the main building, you can see why Toledo has been called the “glass city” with a walk through the Glass Pavilion, which also has live glassblowing demonstrations. The museum offers free admission to its permanent collections and students can take the Blue Loop down to the museum during the fall and spring semesters.
Also located downtown, the Toledo History Museum features exhibits on the city’s industrial past, its role in the Underground Railroad and its contributions to the Civil War. Did you know that Toledo played a significant role in the early manufacturing of this region or that its extensive restaurant options stem from the diverse communities that have made Toledo their home? As you walk through, you’ll see artifacts from Toledo’s early roots in the auto industry and a collection from the immigrant communities that have not only thrived but helped shape this region. Admission is free, making this a great option for a student’s budget.
National Museum of the Great Lakes
If you walk along the riverfront downtown, you will see a large ship docked on the east side in the Marina District. But more than just taking a tour on the ship itself (which is really cool!), you can explore the rest of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. This nationally recognized museum provides a dive into the history, culture and ecology of our region spanning thousands of years. Though the museum has a wide range of exhibits, one of the signature sections highlights the earliest Native American inhabitants to the present day. The museum maintains regular hours daily and special tours and events are posted if you’re looking for a more specific experience.
Just on the south side of Toledo is one of the best places to travel around the world by foot — the Toledo Zoo. The Toledo Zoo is home to more than 10,000 animals from around the world, with exhibits designed specifically to immerse you in the habitat and cultural history of each region as you walk through. During warmer months you can enjoy music from featured bands and in the colder months leading up to the holidays, you can see the zoo completely lit as one of the region’s largest light displays, the “Lights before Christmas.” There are carnival style concessions, face painting, giraffes to feed, an adventure course and an aquarium along with several exhibits to see the region’s wildlife history at its Natural History Museum. It’s definitely worth checking out and you can gain admission for free on Mondays before noon with proof of Lucas County residency or at a discount through your local grocery store.
Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center
As you walk downtown toward the east side, you may notice the vibrant murals on the facade of the buildings and walls, particularly those with Latino themes. Many are part of the collaborative efforts of the Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, which provides the local community with opportunities to both see and taste Latino art and culture. If you take a tour through the center, you will see a variety of art celebrating Latino culture. You can also immerse yourself into the culture by signing up for their culinary classes to learn how to cook dishes of the Latino diaspora. Admission to the center is free, as well as many of their events.
If you love to look for hidden treasures there are plenty to find just a dig away! Our region, known as the Great Black Swamp, was also the site of many prehistoric creatures. At Fossil Park, you can come and explore the walking paths and dig up your own fossils for free! It’s a great trip within minutes of the city limits and is part of the Olander Park system in Sylvania (you can visit other parks in their system here). And, you can enjoy Fossil Park year-round.
Enrich your college experience by visiting the many museums and centers in the city designed specifically to show you why Toledo has been considered a valuable place to live for thousands of years. Check out these attractions and more for a better taste of what Toledo has to offer!